water well drilling

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WATER WELL DRILLING

FOR THE PROSPECTIVE

WELL OWNER

(INDIVIDUAL, DOMESTIC USE)


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WATER WELL

DRILLING

FOR THE PROSPECTIVE

WELL OWNER

(INDIVIDUAL, DOMESTIC USE)

This pamphlet was compiled by the Board of Water WellContractors primarily to assist prospective owners of non-publicwells. While much of the information is also useful forcommunity, multi-family, or public water supply wells; there areadditional considerations, not discussed in this publication, thatneed to be addressed.

If you are the current or prospective owner of a community, multi-family, or public water supply well; please contact the Dept. ofEnvironmental Quality, Public Water Supply Division forassistance. Contact information can be found at the end of this

publication.

Revised 2007


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How Much Water Do I Need?

You will need a dependable water supply for your present andfuture uses.

An average household uses approximately 200-400 gallons ofwater per day. For a family of four, this means that a domesticwell should provide a dependable yield of 10 to 25 gallons perminute (gpm) to adequately supply all needs, including lawn andgarden watering. Much smaller yields may be acceptable, ifadequate storage tanks are used. Most mortgage companies

require a well yield of at least 5 gpm. More specific information isavailable from county sanitarians, engineering firms, water wellcontractors, or pump installers.

Before you have your well drilled, find out from a local drillingcontractor, the Montana Department of Natural Resources andConservation (DNRC), or the Montana Bureau of Mines and

Geology (MBMG) how much water can be produced from theaquifers in your area, the chemical quality of that water, and thedepth to the water supply. You should also examine logs of thewells drilled in your local area or talk with people in the vicinityabout their wells. Well log information is available electronicallythrough MBMGs Ground Water Information Center (GWIC)website: http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/. If you do not have internetaccess, you can contact GWIC directly at (406) 496-4336.Additional resources for locating well logs include the DNRCWater Resources Regional Office in your area and the MBMGoffices in Butte or Billings. The phone numbers and addresses arelisted in the back of this booklet. Before contacting these
http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/


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organizations, try to have an accurate land description to at leasttownship, range, and section, or latitude-longitude, or UTM of thearea in which you plan to locate your well.

Various conditions make it impossible to guarantee that a wellcontractor will find an adequate supply of groundwater at yourlocation. For example, the geology in an area may be such thatgroundwater is not available at your site even though a neighborswell is a good producer. It is not advisable to build your homeuntil you know you have an adequate water supply on your

building site. Depending on the locale, this may mean drilling and

testing a well prior to initiating construction of the house.

What Permits Do I Need Before I Construct A Well?

Generally speaking, permits to drill (or start cards) are not requiredby the Board of Water Well Contractors prior to drilling.However, there are locations and/or situations when permits are

required in advance of well construction. A few phone calls to thefollowing agencies and individuals will help you determine what

permits may be needed, or if there are any additional regulationsfor water wells:

1) The county sanitarian2) The county floodplain coordinator3) The DNRC Regional Office4) The Dept. of Environmental Quality

A list of county and state contacts appears at the end of thisbooklet.


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Be aware that most subdivision lots that have been created in thepast two decades (and even before then in some cases) have aspecific well location where the well is required to be located.Contact the county clerks office or the DEQ Subdivision Section

to determine where that location is.

How Do I Select A Water Well Contractor?

This is perhaps the most important step in installing your well.The names of licensed water well contractors in your area areavailable from various sources including:

County health departmentsLending institutionsWell owners in the areaDNRC Water Resources Regional Offices

Normal advertising sources

A list of licensed individuals is also maintained on the Board ofWater Well Contractors (BWWC) website:http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/. If do not haveelectronic access, you may also verify a license by contacting theBWWC at DNRC Board of Water Well Contractors, PO Box201601, Helena, Montana 59620-1601, phone (406) 444-6643.

When selecting a contractor, check for information on:

Reputation Competence Reliability Experience Equipment
http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/


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Once you narrow your selection, ask yourself the followingquestions in deciding who will drill your well.

1. Is the contractor licensed by the Montana Board of Water WellContractors?

State law requires water well contractors and drillers to belicensed by the Board of Water Well Contractors. While yourwell is being constructed, either a licensed Water WellContractor or Water Well Driller must remain at the drilling site.

The contractor is the person licensed to contract for andconstruct, alter, or rehabilitate water wells. Contractors are alsorequired to carry a $4,000 surety bond (or its equivalent) as acondition of licensure. In contrast, a licensed driller is a personin the employ of a contractor who can construct the well, but notenter into contracts with a landowner.

Licensing with the Board helps ensure that 1) qualified andcompetent individuals are available to construct water wells inthe State of Montana, and; 2) that minimum water wellconstruction standards are enforced. Should a complaint arise

between a landowner and a licensed contractor/driller, there is aprocess available where the alleged violation is investigated. If aformal complaint is filed, and the Board determines that theminimum construction requirements have not been met, then theBoard may require the driller/contractor to return to the site andcorrect the problem, potentially suspend or revoke thecontractors license, or take action against the contractors bond.Please note that the Board only has jurisdiction over water well


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construction standards. Issues involving professional conduct,or business/financial disputes cannot be addressed by the Board.

A general contractor's license issued by the Montana Department

of Commerce does notauthorize the holder to drill water wells.

2. Will a written contract be provided?

A written contract is highly recommended, and protects both thewell owner and the contractor by avoiding misunderstandingsthat may arise as to the type of materials (e.g., casing, pump) to

be used, the quality and quantity of water to be delivered, theanticipated well depth, and the financial agreement. This is thetime to set a maximum depth the driller cannot exceed withoutexpressed agreement by the owner. To avoidmisunderstandings, the terms under which the additional drillingwill be competed should be in writing.

3. Will the contractor provide a written, itemized estimate of thecosts of drilling your well?

Costs that can be itemized are:

a. Cost of mobilization of equipment

b. Cost per foot of drillingc. Cost per foot of casingd. Cost of sealing materials and labor involvede. Cost of other materials (e.g., drive shoe, screen, perforated

casing)f. Cost of development


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g. Cost of pump test on wellh. Cost of groutingi. Cost of pump and accessories

j. Cost of disinfectionk. Cost of testing

4. Who will be responsible for site cleanup?

The equipment used in drilling is heavy and will damage lawnsby leaving depressions. In addition, large volumes of water andmud are often produced. You should decide before the well is

started what precautions need to be taken to contain this waterand mud. The driller is responsible for removing unusedmaterials from the site, however the rest of the site cleanup isusually left up to the well owner.

5. When will copies of well logs be given?

State law requires that a copy of the well log be submitted to theMontana Bureau of Mines and Geology within 60 days aftercompletion of the well by the driller. The driller is also requiredto supply a copy of the completed well log to the well owner.

6. What type of guarantee does the contractor provide onworkmanship and materials?

State law requires contractors to guarantee that all materials andequipment are new, unless specified, and that their work is freefrom defects for at least one year. It is important for you tonotify the contractor immediately of any defects or problems


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with the well construction, materials or workmanship. Anyguarantees on the quality of water produced by the driller -

particularity in regard to turbidity - should be discussedbeforehand.

7. Who will be responsible for sizing and placement of the pump?

Proper pump size and type are important to ensure adequatewater pressure and prevent damage to the well. It is notadvisable to purchase a pump prior to the drilling of the well.As of the date of this publication, pump installation is not

included as part of water well construction and thus does not fallunder the jurisdiction of the Board. While many licensed WaterWell Contractors also include pump installation as part of their

business, there are other individuals engaged in this enterprise.Select your pump installer as you would any contractor.

What Is Important In Properly Locating The Well?

Consider the relative elevations and locations of septic tanks, drainfields, stockyards, and other sources of contamination. Some areashave unique geologic features that should be investigated to besure that they won't lead to contamination of the well. Takeneighboring sewage disposal systems into consideration.

At a minimum, a well should be 10 feet from the property line, 50feet from any septic tank or sewer lines, and 100 feet from thedrain field. However, more stringent setback distances may berequired by the county or the DEQ. You can obtain information onthe location of septic systems and drainfields, as well as any


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additional setback regulations, from the county sanitarian at yourlocal health department. In addition, most subdivision lots thathave been created in the past two decades (and even before then insome cases) have a specific well location where the well isrequired to be located. Contact the county clerks office or theDEQ Subdivision Section to determine where that location is.

As the landowner you should locate all buried electrical wires,pipes, and septic systems before the contractor arrives. This willavoid any problems for the contractor in setting up the rig.

To promote convenience and reduce costs of installation andmaintenance, keep the following in mind when locating the welland supply line.

1. Locate the well close to the house to minimize the amount ofditching, piping, or supply line needed, butleave enough spaceto provide easy access to the well for maintenance. In some

cases, a drill rig or other large machinery may be required, andthe ability to service your well could be compromised.

2. Make sure the supply line from the well to the house is belowthe frost line -- at least 5 feet deep in most areas. This will

prevent line blockage and rupture caused by water freezing inthe line during cold weather.

3. Try not to put patios, decks, driveways, etc., over your buriedwater supply line. If problems with the line arise, having thesefeatures over the line will increase the difficulty and cost ofexcavating the line. In addition, driveways or other compacted


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or paved areas can sometime increase the depth to which frostpenetrates below the ground surface.

4. Professional assistance may be available from the MBMG forsome well locations.

5. Some counties require the well location to be approved orpermitted by them prior to drilling. Check with your countysanitarian about local requirements.

How Is A Good Well Usually Constructed?

Water wells in Montana are commonly drilled by one of twomethods. The first method, is rotary drilling. While there aremany variations of this method (direct, reverse circulation, dualrotary, etc), the basic principles remain the same. In rotarydrilling, a drill bit is attached to a hollow drill pipe. While the bitand pipe are rotated, drilling fluid or air is forced inside the drill

hole and returns the surface, carrying the drill cuttings. In directrotary, the drilling fluid is forced inside the drilled pipe, and up tothe surface through the annulus (the space between the outside ofthe drill pipe and the drill hole). In reverse circulation, the drillingfluid enters the drill hole through the annulus, and exits via thedrill pipe.

A second method, the cable tool, uses a heavy chisel-shaped bit,which is raised and lowered on a cable. The bit breaks up the rockinto small pieces called cuttings, which are removed with a bailer.A bailer is a piece of pipe with a valve on the lower end. The

bailer is lowered into the well with the valve open. The cuttings


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flow upward into the bailer. When it is raised out of the well, thevalve closes, and the material remains in the bailer until it isreleased outside of the casing.

Other, less commonly used, techniques of well constructioninclude jetting, augering, and driving.

The drilledhole is lined with steel or plastic well casing. Thecasing, usually 4 to 8inches in diameter, serves as a structuralsupport to prevent caving of the hole and to shut out water ofundesirable quality that is found in certain areas. If the well

penetrates sound bedrock that will not cave into the hole, thecasing needs to extend only through the loose overburden materialsor 18 feet below the surface, whichever is deeper. Final casinglength and diameter will depend on the depth of the well. Plasticcasing, if used, must have a metal transition section extending atleast 18 feet down fromthe ground surface and at least 18 inchesabove ground. The steel casing is important in guarding against

contamination of the well because it prevents breakage of thecasing near the surface, allows the space between the side of thedrilled hole and the casing to be sealed (grouted) to preventcontamination, and accommodates the correct installation of pitlessadapters (if needed).

When the well ends in sand and gravel, a well screen may beplaced in the water-bearing formation. The well screen is a sieveor strainer-like section of pipe that attaches to the bottom of thecasing and extends into the water-bearing formation. The wellscreen allows water to enter the well while keeping sand fromentering. Perforated pipes are sometimes substituted for a well


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screen. Preventing sand and gravel from entering the well isimportant to maintain good water quality in the well, reduce wearon pumps, and avoid plugging or other problems. The need for ascreen or perforated casing will depend on the geologicalformations in your area.

Grouting is also an important step in constructing a well. Groutingis sealing the space between the side of the drill hole and thecasing with an impermeable material, usually bentonite or cement.Generally, every well must be sealed in this manner to at least 18feet below ground. Grouting is extremely important in guarding

against well contamination because it prevents seepage ofcontaminants along the casing from the surface.

When flowing water is encountered in a well, additional sealingstandards are required. 1) An unperforated casing shall extend intothe confining layer overlying the artesian zone; 2) the casing must

be sealed to prevent surface and subsurface leakage from the

artesian zone; 3) if the well flows at the surface, it must beequipped with a control valve; 4) the well must be completed withseals, packers andneat cement grout to eliminate leakage aroundthe well casing. It is the drillers responsibility to use allreasonable methods and care to prevent leakage around the wellcasing within a reasonable time frame or until the Board issatisfied that the leakage is controlled.

Section 85-2-505, MCA, requires that all flowing wells be cappedor equipped with valves to stop the flow of water when it is not putto beneficial use. Wells must be constructed and maintainedto

prevent the waste, contamination, or pollution of ground water.


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Installation of a properly sized pump is important to the function ofyour well. Too large a pump will result in overpumping, whichcan ruin the pump by allowing air to enter the pump (causingvibrations that can damage the pump) or by pulling sand into thewell. Too small a pump will not give you the water you need.Your well contractor may be able to recommend the pump bestsuited for your particular situation. The size of the pump isdetermined by the expected yield of the well, how much water isneeded, the diameter of the well casing, the distance between thehouse or storage tank and the well, and the difference in elevation

between the water level in the well and the storage tank or house.

You should not purchase a pump until your well has been drilledand tested to determine its yield.

Finally, it is important that the well be thoroughly disinfected tokill any bacteria introduced during construction of the well orinstallation of the pump. The responsibility for disinfection andwater tests should be addressed in a written contract between you

and the contractor. Disinfection is accomplished by chlorinationof the well with a dilute chlorine solution. Disinfection of the well

before and after pump installation is required for all wells. Yourcontractor can fully explain this procedure.

Before the driller leaves the site, make sure he or she has placed atight fitting cap over the top of the well casing. Capping a welltightly will reduce the risk of contamination or pump damage fromsomething falling or being dropped into the well. Also, the groundsurface around the well head should be graded so that it slopesaway from the well. The contractor may not do this for you, soyou may have to do it yourself.


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The Board of Water Well Contractors has adopted mandatorywater well construction standards. These are minimum standardsthat must be followed by all licensed water well contractors anddrillers during well construction to (1) protect groundwater and thewell from contamination, (2) help ensure good development of thewell to maximize potential yield, and (3) provide an accuraterecord of the well construction procedures. Copies of theminimum standards are available from the Board of Water WellContractors office (address on back of this booklet) or via theBoards website: http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/

What Steps Should Be Taken To EnsureAn Adequate Yield From My New Well?

Various steps taken by the well driller during the construction ofyour well will affect its yield. Yield is governed by the formationsencountered, depth to which the aquifer is penetrated, completiontechniques used and use of screens or perforations. It's important

that the well owner be aware of why these steps are (or are not!)being taken by the driller in construction of the well.

Steps that maximize well yield include the following:

1. Make sure that your well extends an adequate distance into thewater source or aquifer. This increases the efficiency withwhich water flows into your well from the aquifer and at thesame time allows your well to operate under conditions whenwater levels in the aquifer are lower, as they may be during a

prolonged drought.


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2. Increase the area of water entry into your well. In manygeologic environments, unperforated wells that are open only atthe end of the casing can provide adequate yields for domestic orstock-watering purposes. However, perforating or screening thewell where it is in contact with the water-bearing formations willimprove the yield of any well, and is often necessary for largeyields or in less productive aquifers. Water-bearing formationstypically include fine materials that reduce their ability totransmit water to your well. Removal of some of the fine-grainedmaterial from around the casing will improve the yield of thewell. Well development is intended to accomplish this. A

variety of techniques are used, depending on the geologic settingand the requirements of the well. These range fromsimpleoverpumping of the well until the water withdrawn is sand-free,to mechanical surging of the well, to high pressure jetting offormations. All are intended to remove fine-grained materialfromthe vicinity of the well openings, leaving in place coarsermore permeable material. All wells should be developed to

where they provide sand and silt free water. The need foradditional development depends, again, on your water needs andon the geology of your area.

Be aware that some wells will produce some amount of fine sandor silt regardless of how well the well is constructed this is due

to the geologic composition of the aquifer.

A pump test is important to help determine the correct size pumpto install and the yield that can be sustained from your well. Waterwell contractors are required to test well yield for at least one houron all wells from which no more than 100 gpm will be with drawn.


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A minimum eight-hour test is required for any well from whichmore than l00 gpm will be withdrawn. These are minimumstandards for testing. Most mortgage companies require a longertest, and more rigorous testing procedures may be required byother government agencies for subdivisions (DEQ) or water rights(DNRC).

Is My Well Water Safe To Drink Without Treatment?

Generally underground formations are the cleanest source of water.Most groundwater contains some minerals dissolved from the earth

through which the water has moved. These are rarely harmful tohealth but may give the water an unpleasant taste. The geologicformations act as return filters to screen out pollution. Shallowgroundwater may be more susceptible to contamination thandeeper aquifers.

Water quality testing is important. Contaminants may be

introduced during drilling and pump installation or may alreadyexist in the aquifer. Common water quality problems are highlevels of coliform bacteria, nitrates, and total dissolved solids.High levels of coliform bacteria can indicate pollution from animalor human wastes. High concentrations of nitrates can indicatecontamination by agricultural practices (fertilizer application orfeed lots) or septic tank wastes. High concentrations of nitratescan cause health problems or death, particularly in infants andunborn babies. Concentrations in excess of 10.0 mg/1 of nitrogen(as nitrate) are of particular concern to families with pregnantwomen or infants less than one year old. Nitrate at these levels caninterfere with the infant's ability to use oxygen, causing blue baby


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syndrome, a sometimes-fatal condition. Total dissolved solids cancause an unpleasant taste and, at higher concentrations, may causehealth problems. Proper testing to determine the presence ofcontaminants and proper disinfection will guarantee good qualitywater.

Aesthetic problems may be caused by hardness, iron, manganese,or iron bacteria. Information on treatment of these problems isavailable from your water well contractor, county sanitarian,county extension agent or a water conditioning company. The

National Ground Water Association also has a helpful web-site:

www.wellowner.org.

Do I Need A Water Right?

Yes. If you intend to use more than 35 gallons of water perminute or 10 acre-feet in volume per year, you will need to applyfor a "Beneficial Water Use Permit" (Form 600) from the DNRC

in order to legally use the water in the well. It is advisable that youcontact the DNRC before the well is drilled to see whatinformation is required to apply for a permit, what rules must befollowed for aquifer testing, if your planned development is in aControlled Ground Water Area, or if there are any otherrestrictions on new ground water appropriations in the area.

If you intend to use 35 gpm or less, and are not in a ControlledGround Water Area, you are not required to obtain a permit, butyou must file a "Notice of Completion of GroundwaterDevelopment" (Form 602) with DNRC within 60 days after you

begin using the water. It is your responsibility as a landowner to


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file this form to establish your legal right to use the water fromyour well. The filing of a "Well Log Report" (Form 603) withMBMG by the driller/contractor does not constitute filing yourwater right. Make sure you know the proper legal description ofyour well location, and include this information on the water use

permit application or notice of completion.

Information on new appropriations of water (applications, rules,Controlled Ground Water Areas) can be found on the DNRCwebsite: http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts, or by contactingthe Water Resources Regional Offices.

What Should I Do To Maintain My Well

After It Is Completed?

1. Most wells should be tested once per year for coliform bacteriacontamination. These bacteria indicate contamination caused byanimal or human waste. If your well is less than 25 feet deep it

could be particularly susceptible to contamination and should betestedseveral times per year and at least once during springrunoff.

The Montana Public Health Lab and numerous privatelaboratories can analyze water samples for bacteria and nitratewhich are the most commonly tested parameters in domesticdrinking water supplies. Water tests can also be performed formany other contaminants. The state lab or county sanitariangenerally can advise you on what to analyze for under yourspecific conditions. Also, the MSU Extension Service can

provide information about common water quality problems and
http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rtshttp://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts


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recommended analysis. Ask the local extension service office(under county government listings in the phone book) forExtension Bulletin #48: Water Quality: A Matter of Choice.

Sample bottles and instructions are available from the MontanaPublic Health Lab. Call (406) 444-2642 between 7:30 a.m. and5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A nitrate test costs around$15.00 - $20.00; bacteria tests cost $15.00 - $20.00. For privatelaboratories look in the yellow pages under Laboratories -Testing.

2. Wells that occasionally show signs of bacterial contaminationshould be disinfected on a continuous basis. For information onhow to properly disinfect your well and recommendations onequipment to use for disinfection, contact your water wellcontractor, county sanitarian, or the Source Water ProtectionSection at the Dept. of Environmental Quality.

3. Many problems with the quality of well water are caused bybacteria that are not pathogenic, but affect the appearance of thewater. These bacteria can produce undesirable tastes and odors,oily films, slime growths, and rust (red water). Disinfection ofthe well can prevent these conditions from occurring or reducetheir frequency. Your local county health department/sanitariancan give you information on how you can disinfect your well to

prevent these problems. A list of phone numbers has beenincluded at the end of this booklet. You may also find phonenumbers and addresses in your local phone directory.


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4. Back siphonage of contaminants into your well from fertilizertanks, stock tanks, and pesticide residue can occur when yourdomestic water supply system shares a common distributionsystem with these facilities. If sharing a common distributionsystem is unavoidable, it is important to use equipment with

proper backflow preventors to guard against back siphonage.

5. Make sure you routinely maintain your system; discuss a propermaintenance schedule with the individual who installs yoursystem. Checking your system once a year should show anysmall items that, left unchecked could become costly to fix.

6. Ask your contractor about abandoning a well that has beenreplaced. You are responsible for abandoning a well that has

been permanently discontinued or that may be considered ahealth hazard. However, you cannot perform the work yourself.Make sure that you hire a licensed water well contractor.

Do's And Don'ts

1. Do make sure that you have adequate groundwater for yourproposed needs before you construct your home.

2. Do contact the local DNRC Regional Office before your well

is constructed for information and requirements on waterrights applications.

3. Do consider your neighbor's present well and septic systemlocation in locating your own well.


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4. Do contact the county sanitarian and floodplain managerbefore your well is constructed to see if there are additionalregulations/restrictions regarding well locations andconstruction.

5. Do make certain that you and the water well contractor fullyunderstand and agree upon the terms of your agreement(whether it is verbal or written).

6. Do select a pump and water system adaptable to your presentand future needs. Hire an experienced water well pump

installer.

7. Do have your well water analyzed to determine potability inall cases, and to determine mineral content if recommended bythe contractor.

8. Do obtain a copy of the well log on your completed well,

including a bill of materials and record of work performed.

9. Don't hire an unlicensed person to drill your well. Ask to seea current license card or check with the Board of Water WellContractors to verify licensure.

10. Don't ask your contractor to construct a well that does notmeet the minimum water well construction standards. (To doso will result in probable future costs to correct deficiencies,as well as place the water well contractor's license in jeopardy.

11. Don't purchase your pump prior to well construction.


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We have attempted to address all areas of concern that you mayhave when you are considering having a water well drilled. If youhave questions on the material we have covered or on subjects thatwere not covered, please contact the Board of Water WellContractors' office.

DNRC Water Resources Regional Offices

BILLINGSAirport Industrial Park1371 Rimtop Drive

Billings, MT 59105-1978(406) 247-4415

HELENA1424 Ninth Ave.PO Box 201601

Helena, MT 59620-1601(406) 444-6999

BOZEMAN2273 Boot Hill CourtSuite 110Bozeman, MT 59715

(406) 586-3136

KALISPELL109 Cooperative WaySuite 110Kalispell, MT 59901-2387

(406) 752-3267

GLASGOW222 Sixth St. SouthPO Box 1269Glasgow, MT 59230-1269(406) 228-2561

LEWISTOWN613 NE Main St.Suite ELewistown, MT 59457-2020(406) 538-7459

HAVRE210 Sixth AvenueP.O. Box 1828Havre, MT 59501-1828(406) 265-5516

MISSOULA1610 South Third Street WestSuite 103P.O. Box 5004Missoula, MT 59806-5004(406) 721-4284


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County Subdivision and Floodplain Contacts

CountyEnvironmental HealthDept. / Sanitarian Floodplain Manager

Beaverhead (406) 683-3770 (406) 683-3770Big Horn (406) 665-8724 (406) 665-8724Blaine (406) 357-3310 (406) 357-3310Broadwater (406) 266-9209 (406) 443-3962Carbon (406) 446-1694 (406) 446-1694Carter (406) 538-8375Cascade (406) 454-6950 (406) 454-6905Chouteau (406) 622-3016

Custer (406) 874-3490 (406) 234-6339Daniels (406) 765-3458 x464Dawson (406) 377-5772 (406) 377-4807Deer Lodge (406) 563-4066 (406) 563-4018Fallon (406) 778-7102 (406) 778-7111Fergus (406) 535-7466 (406) 535-9046Flathead (406) 751-8130 (406) 751-8200

Gallatin (406) 582-3120 (406) 582-3130Garfield (406) 232-0273Glacier (406) 873-4461 (406) 873-4461Golden Valley (406) 535-7466 (406) 323-2804Granite (406) 563-4066 (406) 859-3771Hill (406) 265-5481 x266 (406) 265-5481 x266Jefferson (406) 225-4126 (406) 225-4126Judith Basin (406) 535-7466Lake (406) 883-7236 (406) 883-7243Lewis & Clark (406) 447-8351 (406) 447-8285Liberty (406) 424-8343 (406) 450-8972Lincoln (406) 293-7781 X228 (406) 293-7781 x229Madison (406) 843-4275 (406) 843-4275


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County Subdivision and Floodplain Contacts

CountyEnvironmental HealthDept. / Sanitarian Floodplain Manager

McCone (406) 433-6876Meagher (406) 761-5631 (406) 547-3612 x104Mineral (406) 822-3525 (406) 822-3525Missoula (406) 258-4755 (406) 258-4841Mussellshell (406) 535-7466 (406) 323-2804Park (406) 222-4142 (406) 222-4142Petroleum (406) 535-7466Phillips (406) 654-2465 (406) 654-2421

Pondera (406) 271-4036 (406) 271-4040Powder River (406) 366-0627 (406) 436-2657Powell (406) 846-2420 (406) 846-3680 x210Prairie (406) 377-5772Ravalli (406) 375-6565 (406) 375-6530Richland (406) 433-6876 (406) 433-2407Roosevelt (406) 765-3458 x464 (406) 653-6224

Rosebud (406) 356-2528 (406) 346-7968Sanders (406) 827-6961 (406) 827-6911Sheridan (406) 765-3458 x464Silver Bow (406) 497-5020 (406) 497-6250Stillwater (406) 322-8055 (406) 322-8055Sweet Grass (406) 932-5395 (406) 932-5470Teton (406) 466-2150 (406) 466-2155Toole (406) 424-8340 (406) 450-8972Treasure (406) 356-2528 (406) 342-5547Valley (406) 228-6264 (406) 228-6264Wheatland (406) 377-2770 (406) 538-7466Wibaux (406) 377-5772Yellowstone (406) 256-2770 (406) 256-2775


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State Contacts

Dept. of Natural Resources and ConservationBoard of Water Well Contractors (406) 444-6643

Montana Bureau of Mines and GeologyGround Water Information CenterEastern Montana College

(406) 496-4336(406) 657-9938

Dept. of Environmental QualityEnforcement DivisionPermitting/Compliance DivisionPublic Water Supply Program

BillingsHelena

Source Water Protection SectionHelena

Subdivision Review ProgramBillings

HelenaKalispellMissoula

(406) 444-0379(406) 444-4549

(406) 247-4445(406) 444-4400

(406) 444-6697

(406) 247-4447

(406) 444-4400(406) 755-8985(406) 258-3720

Public Health Lab (406) 444-2642

24-hour spill hotline (406) 841-3911

Other information available from the Board of Water Well Contractors'office in Helena:

Copies of the Board of Water Well Contractors' law and rules$5.00


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Websites to Bookmark

Groundwater Information Center (GWIC) Well Logs

http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/

Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation

Water Rights Informationhttp://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts/default.asp

Board of Water Well Contractors webpage and Board Membershttp://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/default.aspDept. of Environmental Quality

Source Water Protection Program

http://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/swp/index.aspSubdivision Review Programhttp://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/Sub/Index.aspState Environmental Lab (Private Well Testing)

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/Lab/Environmental/environ-lab-private-well-testing.shtmlGIS / Mapping

Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) including Topofinderhttp://nris.mt.gov/interactive.htmlMontana Cadastral Mapping Programhttp://gis.doa.mt.gov/Other Useful Sites

Environmental Protection Agency Private Drinking Water Wells

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.htmlAmerican Ground Water Trusthttp://www.agwt.org/gwinfo.htmWellowner.orghttp://www.wellowner.org/
http://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts/default.asphttp://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/default.asphttp://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/swp/index.asphttp://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/Sub/Index.asphttp://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/Lab/Environmental/environ-lab-private-well-testing.shtmlhttp://nris.mt.gov/interactive.htmlhttp://gis.doa.mt.gov/http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.htmlhttp://www.agwt.org/gwinfo.htmhttp://www.wellowner.org/http://www.wellowner.org/http://www.agwt.org/gwinfo.htmhttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.htmlhttp://gis.doa.mt.gov/http://nris.mt.gov/interactive.htmlhttp://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/Lab/Environmental/environ-lab-private-well-testing.shtmlhttp://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/Sub/Index.asphttp://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/swp/index.asphttp://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/bwwc/default.asphttp://www.dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_rts/default.asphttp://mbmggwic.mtech.edu/

water well drilling

Documents